Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday visited the family of the 12-year-old Budgam girl who was allegedly raped and murdered, assuring strict legal action against the accused and saying the horrific crime had “shaken the conscience of society.”
The Chief Minister travelled to Galwanpora in central Kashmir’s Budgam district to offer condolences to the bereaved family, a day after police arrested a local resident in connection with the case that triggered outrage and grief across Jammu and Kashmir.
The minor girl had gone missing on Saturday and was later found dead in the village on Sunday, prompting a massive police investigation. Authorities on Monday identified and arrested the accused, Mudasir Ahmad Mir, a neighbour of the victim.
During his interaction with the family, Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow over the killing and prayed for strength and patience for the grieving relatives.
Describing the incident as deeply disturbing, the Chief Minister said such criminal elements had no place in a civilised society and assured the family that justice would be delivered through strict legal action.
Police said the investigation had completed the initial medico-legal, forensic and evidentiary procedures linked to the arrest of the accused. Officials also clarified that the accused’s identity was disclosed only after necessary legal formalities were completed to avoid affecting the investigation process.
According to police, investigations conducted so far indicate that no other person was involved in the crime.
Authorities also appealed to the public and media organisations to maintain communal harmony and avoid spreading rumours or unverified information related to the case, warning that speculative content could hamper law and order as well as the ongoing investigation.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister handed over compassionate appointment orders to 52 beneficiaries under the SRO-43 and Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme (RAS), reiterating the government’s commitment to supporting families affected by the death of government employees or victims of terrorism.
The Chief Minister congratulated the appointees and urged them to serve with sincerity, dedication and a strong sense of public responsibility.
Later, Omar Abdullah chaired a series of outreach meetings at the Public Services and Outreach Office, Raabita, in Srinagar, where he interacted with delegations from the banking sector, NCC and heritage conservation bodies.
Managing Director and CEO of Jammu & Kashmir Bank Amitava Chatterjee briefed the Chief Minister on measures being taken to strengthen banking operations, improve customer services and expand financial outreach across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Minister also met NCC Director General Lt Gen Virendra Vats and senior NCC officials to discuss youth engagement programmes and expansion of cadet activities in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
In another significant interaction, a delegation from Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage raised concerns regarding preservation of Kashmir’s heritage structures and the impact of climate change on water management in the historic Mughal Gardens.
Omar Abdullah assured the delegation that the government remained committed to protecting and promoting Jammu and Kashmir’s rich artistic, cultural and architectural heritage.
